Search and Rescue

Douglas County Search and Rescue Information

Search and Rescue is responsible for all SAR activities within Douglas County, as defined by Oregon Revised Statues 401.

Search and Rescue is defined by law as: "Acts of searching for, rescuing or recovering, by means of ground or marine
activity, any person who is lost, injured or killed while out-of-doors."

Douglas County and the Oregon Sheriffs Association are part of the HikeSafe coalition. HikeSafe’s goal is to promote hiker
safety and awareness. Please check out the HikeSafe Website for information that relates
to almost all outdoor recreation.

Douglas County Search and Rescue Units

Below are the SAR units who provide services in our community. Membership is restricted to approved applicants. All SAR unit membership
is open to both male and female. No applicant will be denied membership meeting unit criteria, on the basis of race, creed, color,
religion or sex. Application is basically the same for all units; you will need to fill out an application and either turn it into
the unit you are interested in joining or the Sheriff's Office. All applicants will have a background, criminal history, and driving record
check. Applications and information can be obtained from any SAR unit or from the Sheriff's Office.

Douglas County Mounted Search and Rescue
Equestrian unit open to all persons 21 years or older. Must have access or means to transport horse(s).

Douglas County 4x4 Search & Rescue
The purpose of the 4x4 SAR team is to provide a team that is capable of responding in almost any weather or terrain. The
4x4 SAR team will provide a "containment" search capability, which means the team will be deployed on roads around
the area were a subject is reported missing. The team will also function as a transportation unit, providing equipment
operators and vehicles to operate specialty vehicles such as snow cats and to transport searchers.

Douglas County Air Support Unit
The Air Support Unit was developed to provide assistance to Search and Rescue operations, disaster relief (damage surveys) and
suspect locating and tracking. This specialized unit is made up of highly qualified private pilots who are willing to
donate their time and aircraft in support of the Sheriff's Office and citizens of Douglas County.

Douglas County Amateur Radio Emergency Services
DCARES is a group of amateur radio operators willing to assist SAR, emergency management and other agencies during emergencies or
community events. DCARES is part of the American Radio Relay League. ARES Training Schedule

Explorer Search & Rescue (ESAR)
ESAR Post #510 is a scouting organization that is sponsored by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. The organization is open to
anyone who is 14 years old (both male and female). The unit has two primary purposes: To provide a SAR organization
to assist in search and rescue operations and to provide a youth organization, which promotes self growth, responsibility,
leadership skills, and community service.

Douglas K-9 Search and Rescue
This unit focus is training and use of dogs for SAR.

Mt. Rescue
This unit’s specialty is alpine and vertical (rope rescue). The Mt. Rescue unit also provides ground search functions
when applicable. The unit is open to adults and older youth on a case by case basis.

If you want to join Search and Rescue please print the Application and return it to the Sheriff's Office, Search and Rescue Division. The
application has to be a signed original (we can not accept faxed or emailed application).

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office follows the Oregon Sheriffs' Association / Oregon Emergency Managements "Minimum Standards for SAR
Certification Training." The document that outlines these standards is available at the Sheriff's Office.